Portable stock handling unit

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses a portable stock race and yard including a stock race supported on wheels and a plurality of wings swingably connected to the stock race and arranged to be folded out to form a stockyard. A tongue is pivotally mounted to the race so that the tongue can be moved out of the stock passageway defined by the race. Wing supports are pivotally connected to the sides of the race to support the wings when folded against the race. Further included are shields releasably mountable below the wings, when the wings are folded out to form the stockyard, to prevent small animals within the stockyard from passing under the wings. A wheel support assembly is provided to shift the wheels on either side of the trailer between transportation and retracted positions. A lever assembly is releasably mountable on the wheel support assembly to provide a mechanical advantage in moving that assembly. An improved stock restraint mechanism mounted at one end of the race includes a pair of two-piece bail members movable opposite one another and selectively locked in position securing an animal&#39;s head using an improved ratchet mechanism.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 667,451, filed Nov. 1, 1984,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,309; which is a division of application Ser. No.627,072, filed July 2, 1984, now abandoned; which is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 416,302, filed Sept. 9, 1982, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable stock handling units, and moreparticularly to portable stock handling units including a stock race anda plurality of wings hingedly connected thereto, which may be folded outto form a stockyard.

When stock, such as cattle, are to be treated, the stock is typicallyherded into a stockyard and then led one at a time through a stock raceleading off the yard. While in the race, the animal is treated (e.g.,inoculated or branded). Typically, the race includes a head restraintmechanism so that the animal may be selectively retained within the raceduring treatment. After treatment, the head restraint mechanism isreleased and the animal exits the race.

This method of handling stock requires either that the animals bebrought to the stockyard and race or that the stock, race, and yard bebrought to the animals. When the sstock is located in remote areas, itis economically advantageous to select the latter alternative and takethe stock handling unit to the stock. In some areas there is nopractical alternative. Many such stock handling units are known, with anexample being disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 236,150, filedby Tyquin on Feb. 20, 1981, entitled TRANSPORTABLE STOCK UNIT, now U.S.Pat. No. 4,366,775, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 54,852, filed by Tyquin July 5, 1979, entitled TRANSPORTABLE STOCKUNIT, now abandoned. The portable units include a stock race mounted onwheels and a plurality of wings hingedly connected to the race andarranged to be folded out to form the periphery of a stockyard.

However, known portable stock handling units are not without theirdisadvantages. First, the tongue or nose necessary for traileringtypically is located forwardly of the race floor and aligned with therace such that animals exiting the race have difficulty traversing thenose. This often results in injury to the stock which trip on , orbecome otherwise entangled with, the nose. Second, the portable unitsinclude supports permanently affixed to the race upon which the wingsrest when folded against the trailer. However, these supports whichextend outwardly from the trailer even after the wings have been foldedout to form the stockyard, interfere with movement about the stock race.Consequently, operators working about the outside of the race aresometimes injured when they inadvertently strike or otherwise engagethese dangerously protruding members. Third, because the wings mustclear the trailer wheels when folded against the stock race, the wingstypically include a lower portion which pivots or slides upwardly alonga portion of the wing to an inoperative position, allowing the wing toclear the wheels. However, known constructions permitting the wings toso clear the wheels are relatively complicated and consequentlyexpensive and prone to failure. Also, the necessity for additionalstructure increases the vehicle's weight. Fourth, the race wheels aretypically mounted on wheel assemblies which may be shifted between atransportation position wherein the wheels engage the ground and aninoperative, retracted position wherein the race is allowed to restdirectly on the ground. The winch-actuated lever mechanisms required toactuate these shiftable wheel assemblies are permanently mounted to theassemblies and extend above the wheels such that the lever mechanismsinterfere with the wings when the wings are to be folded aginst thestock race and also interfere with the operators working about the racewhen stock is conducted therethrough. Fifth, the animal head restraintmechanism often includes a pair of one-piece bail members, at least oneof which is movable with respect to the other to selectively engage ananimal's head therebetween to selectively secure the animal within therace. However, such one-piece bails do not readily adapt to differentstock of height and size requiring the bail members to be adaptable todifferent size animals passing therethrough.

Another important factor is the necessity of avoiding excessive weightboth because of the power needed to move the trailer and the fact thatthe equipment of necessity is often transported over trails or open andrough terrain without benefit of roads. Restricting weight is alsoimportant to permit the equipment to be erected and disassembled orpacked for transport by a minimum number of personnel without the use ofpower assistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned problems are solved by the present invention.Essentially, a portable stock handling unit is provided of the generaltype including a transportable stock race and a plurality of wingshingedly connected to the race and arranged to be folded out to form atleast a portion of the periphery of a stockyard. The portable raceinclude a race floor and a trailer tongue movable between a towingposition immediately forward of, and aligned with, the race floor and aninoperative position wherein the tongue is absent from the areaimmediately forward of the race floor. Consequently, before stock isconducted through the race, the tongue may be moved to its inoperativeposition so that animals passing through the race do not trip, or becomeotherwise entangled with, the tongue. This also permits the unit to beup to the side of a truck, freight car or similar vehicle for loadingcattle without the tongue forming an obstruction.

In a second aspect of the invention, a wing support is pivotally mountedon the side of the stock race and movable between a supporting position,wherein the support extends outwardly from the side to support the wingswhen folded against the race, and an inoperative position, wherein thesupport lies substantially against the race and does not interfere withoperator movement about the race. Accordingly, the wings are properlysupported on the wing supports when the wings are folded against therace, and yet the supports may be folded to a safe storage positionagainst the race when the wings have been removed therefrom to form thestockyard.

In a third aspect of the invention, the wings are supported on the stockrace at a height sufficiently high to permit the wings to clear thewheels when folded against the race. The wings additionally include legsto support the wings on the ground when folded out to form thestockyard. A plurality of panel sections is provided, one of each beingreleasably mountable on the legs and below each of the wings to preventstock from passing out of the stockyard under the wings. Consequently,the wings are readily moved to their transportation position against thestock race by removing the panel sections from the wing legs and foldingthe wings above the wheels. However, when the wings are folded out toform the stockyard, the panel sections are secured below the wings toinsure against escape of stock from the yard.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the stock unit includes first andsecond wheels and a wheel assembly mounted on the race and operativelysupporting the wheels. The wheel assembly is shiftable between atransportation position, wherein the wheels support the unit on theground, and a retracted position, wherein the race rests directly on theground. Further included is a lever mechanism releasably mountable onthe wheel assembly, for providing a mechanical advantage in moving thewheel assembly, and a winch means releasably connectable to the levermechanism, for providing a mechanical advantage in moving the levermechanism. When the wheel assembly is to be operated, the levermechanism is mounted on the wheel assembly and the winch means isconnected to the lever mechanism to provide the necessary mechanicaladvantage to move the wheels. When wheel assembly movement is complete,the lever mechanism may be removed from the wheel assemblies and storedon the vehicle so that the mechanism does not interfere with the foldingof the wings against the stock race or with operators working about therace.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, the stock race includes a stockholding means, or bail, including first and second bail membersoperatively supported by the frame for movement opposite one another.Each of the bail members has a two-piece construction including an uppermember pivotally connected to a lower member. Additionally, both uppermembers and lower members are mounted for pivotal movement with respectto the frame to define a generally diamond-shaped opening through whichan animal's head may pass. This bail, when closed, secures a widevariety of head sizes and heights. Therefore, the bail need not beadjusted for different size and height stock.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, an improved ratchet mechanism isprovided to operate the bail. The ratchet member includes a catchoperatively secured to the frame and an actuating arm having a first endpivotally connected to at least one of the bail members so that the armpivots by gravity in a substantially vertical plane onto the catch. Thearm further includes ratchet means on its undersurface so that theactuating arm may, if necessary, be used to force the bail closed andthen rested on the catch to hold the arm and bail arm in position. Thedesign of the bail is such that upon release of the arm, the bail isgravity biased to be self-closing. When the animal is to be released,the actuating arm is lifted and pulled outwardly thereby opening thebail. These and other objects, advantages, and features of the inventionwill be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to thewritten specification and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable stock handling unit of thepresent invention ready for transportation;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the base frame of the unit showing theinoperative or retracted position of the tongue in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view taken along plane III--III inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the pivotal wing supportand the wheel raising and lowering mechanism;

FIg. 5 is a side elevational view of the pivotal wing support takenalong plane V--V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevational view of several wings unfolded toform the periphery of the stockyard;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a panel section about to besecured within a wing leg;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along plane VIII--VIII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the stock race with the wheels intheir retracted position;

FIG. 10 is an exploded side elevational view of the wheel raising andlowering mechanism with the wheels removed;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view with the lever-receiving structureremoved taken along plane XI--XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing both the bail door andthe tongue pivoted away from the forward end of the stock race;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bail door in its closedposition;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the bail door;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along plane XV--XV in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view of the bail door latchand catch; and

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the catch for the bail doorlatch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A portable stock handling unit constructed in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings andgenerally designated 10. As seen in FIG. 1 (the transportationconfiguration), unit 10 includes stock race 12, supported on wheels 14,and a plurality of wings 16 hingedly connected to the stock race andarranged to fold out to form at least the periphery of a stockyard.Stock race 12 includes base frame, or chassis, 18, stock supportingfloor 20 supported on the base frame, and a pair of spaced side walls 22and 24 extending upwardly from the base frame and defining a stockraceway. Bail gate 26 is located at the forward end of stock race 12 andincludes a bail mechanism (see FIG. 14) for selectively securing ananimal within the race. A rear gate (see FIG. 9) is hingedly mounted tothe rearward end of race 12 leading to the stockyard. Nose, or tongue,28 is pivotally connected to the forward portion of base frame 18 andmay be secured in the towing position shown in FIG. 1 or moved to aninoperative position (see FIG. 2) wherein the tongue will not interferewith animals exiting race 12 through bail door 26. Fenders 32 arereleasably mounted on wings 16 over wheels 14. Wheels 14 are supportedon wheel support assemblies 30 which are, in turn, connected to baseframe 12. Assemblies 30 may be shifted between a transportation positionshown in FIG. 1, wherein unit 10 is supported on wheels 14, and aretracted position (see FIG. 4) wherein the wheels are pivoted upwardlyallowing stock race 12 to rest on the ground.

Stock unit 10 may be used to treat stock by towing the unit to the areaat which the animals are located. Fenders 32 are removed from wings 16and tongue 28 is pivoted to its inoperative position shown in phantom inFIG. 2. Wings 16 are folded outwardly so that access may be had to wheelsupport assemblies 30 to pivot wheels 14 to their retracted position,permitting race 12 to be lowered to the ground. Wings 16 are folded outto form the periphery of a stockyard. Stock is herded into the stockyardand individually conducted through race 12 for treatment, such asinoculation or branding. As each animal is conducted through race 12,its head is secured within bail gate 26 to retain the animal within therace during treatment. After treatment is complete, the animal's head isreleased from bail gate 26, and the gate is opened (see FIG. 12) so thatthe animal may exit the race. When all of the stock have been treated,unit 10 is readied for transportation by folding wings 16 against oneanother and lifting the race 12 about the wheels 14 so that they aloneare in ground contact and again support unit 10. Wings 16 are securedagainst sides of stock race 12; fenders 32 are mounted on wings 16 abovewheels 14; and tongue 28 is resecured in its towing position. Unit 10 isthen hitched to a towing vehicle and towed to the next location.

Draw Bar

The construction of base frame 18 and folding tongue, or draw bar, 28 isshown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. Base frame 18 (FIG. 2)comprises a pair of spaced longitudinal members 34 and 36 interconnectedby five cross members 38. Tongue 28 includes a pair of diagonal members40a and 40b fastened at their forward ends to each other and to plate 42and interconnected at their rearward ends by brace member 44.Conventional hitch 45 (see FIG. 1) is mounted on plate 42.

Both of hinges 46 and 46a are generally identical to one another withone being the mirror image of the other. Accordingly, only hinge 46(FIGS. 2 and 3) will be described in detail. A pair of hinge flanges aremounted on longitudinal member 34 to extend outwardly therefrom. Both ofhinge flanges 48 define pin-receiving apertures 49 which are generallyaligned with one another. Similarly, flanges 50 are mounted to, andextend outwardly from, diagonal member 40a and define a pair ofpin-receiving apertures 51. All of apertures 49 and 51 are generallycoaxially aligned when tongue 28 is in its transportation position asshown in FIG. 2. Pins 52 and 52a are positioned within apertures 49 and51 to releasably secure flanges 50 to flanges 48, and consequentlytongue 28 to base frame 18.

Tongue 28 may be pivoted to an inoperative position as shown in phantomin FIG. 2 by removing pin 52 from hinge 46a and pivoting tongue 28 withrespect to base frame 18 about hinge 46a. Consequently, tongue 28 ismovable between a transportation position, wherein the tongue is locatedimmediately forwardly of base frame 18 aligned with race 12, and aninoperative, or retracted, position, wherein the tongue is absent fromthe area immediately forward of the race. Tongue 28 can also be pivotedin the opposite direction by removing pin 52a and pivoting the tongueabout hinge 46. Further, both pins 52 and 52a may be removed from hinges46 and 46a and tongue 28 removed from base frame 18 altogether. Becausetongue 28 can be moved away from the area forward of, and aligned with,race 12, stock passing through the race do not trip on, or becomeotherwise entangled with, the tongue. This greatly reduces the chance ofinjury to stock passing through race 12.

Wing Supports

FIGS. 4, 5, and 9 show wing supports 54 mounted on side 22. Identicalsupports (not shown) are also mounted on opposite side 24. Two supports54 and 54a (FIG. 9) are located one forwardly and one rearwardly,respectively, of wheels 14. Supports 54 and 54a are pivotally connectedto side 22 of race 12 to be movable between a wing-supporting positionextending from side 22 (FIGS. 4 and 5) and a retracted position foldedsubstantially against the side (FIG. 9). As most clearly seen in FIG. 5,each of supports 54 and 54a includes a pair of tubes, or rings, 56secured to mounting brace 55, which is in turn secured to side 22.Bracket 58 includes horizontal support member 60 and brace 62 extendingdownwardly from brace 60 toward side 22. Pins 64a and 64b are secured toextend downwardly from support member 60 and brace 62, respectively,through tubes 56a and 56b, respectively. Consequently, bracket 58 isfree to pivot with respect to side 22 about pins 64 within tubes 56.Leading edge 66 of horizontal member 60 is beveled downwardly toaccommodate the reception of wings 16 as the wings are folded againstside 22.

When wings 16 are folded out from side 22 to form the stockyard, thewings slide off of bracket 58 and more particularly support member 60.Brackets 58 are then pivoted substantially against side 22 (FIG. 9) sothat operators moving about the trailer will not strike or otherwiseengage the brackets, potentially injuring themselves. When wings 16 areto be folded against side 22, brackets 58 are first pivoted to theiroperative positions (FIGS. 4 and 5) wherein the brackets extendoutwardly from the side. Wings 16 are then folded against side 22 andslid onto bracket 58 and more particularly support member 60. Leadingedge 66 of the support member facilitates the proper alignment of wings16 with the support members. Consequently, pivotal wing supports 54 and54a provide the necessary support for the wings when unit 10 isconfigured in its transportation configuration. However, wing supports54 and 54a can be pivoted to a safe, unobtruding position duringtreatment of the stock to reduce the potential of injury to workers.

Wings

The construction of wings 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Wings 16are pivotally connected sequentially to one another. Additionally, wing16a is hingedly connected to side 22. Each of wings 16 includes an uppermember 68, a left side member 70, a right side member 72, and a bottommember 74 interconnected to define a generally rectangular frame.Additionally, a pair of panels 76a and 76b extend generally horizontallybetween side members 70 and 72.

Additionally in wing 16a, door 77 is mounted between a pair of braces 79which in turn are mounted between top member 68 and bottom member 74.Three tubes, or rings, 78 are mounted one above the other on side 22 anddefine apertures opening generally upwardly. Additionally, threeL-shaped pin members 80 extend from left side member 70 of wing 16a intotubes 78. Wing 16a is mounted to side 22 at a height sufficient forbottom member 74 to clear wheels 14, whether the wheels are in theirlowered or retracted position, when the wings are folded against thetrailer (see FIG. 1). A pair of brackets 82 extends laterally from rightside member 72 of wing 16a and define upwardly opening apertures 84.

The remainder of wings 16 (i.e., 16b, 16c, etc.) are generally identicalto wing 16b. Wing 16b includes members 68, 70, 72, 74. and 76 asdescribed above. Pins 84 extend laterally from left member 70 of wing16b and into apertures 84 of brackets 82 on wing 16a. Brackets 82 extendlaterally from right side member 72 of wing 16b. Consequently, as manywings 16 may be interconnected as desired to provice a stockyard havingvirtually any shape and size; however, limitations on the desired widthof unit 10 practically limit the number of wings which can be included.

Each of wings 16 includes a pair of legs 18a and 86b (FIGS. 6 and 7)telescopically received within side members 70 and 72, respectively, soas to be vertically shiftable. Podded feet 88 are connected to the lowerend of each leg 86 to prevent the leg from pushing into the ground underthe weight of wings 16. Legs 86a and 86b are telescopically retractedinto members 70 and 72 when wings 16 are to be folded against stock race12 and are telescopically extended when the wings are to be supported onthe ground forming a stockyard. Any suitable commercially availablelocking device, for example pin 89 (see FIG. 7), may be used toselectively lock legs 86 within members 70 and 72.

Panel, or shield, 90 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is releasably secured below eachwing 16 between legs 86a and 86b. Each leg 86 defines a slot 92 (seeFIG. 7) extending transversely therethrough into which a flange 94 fromshield 90 may be inserted. Both leg 92 and flange 94 define apertures 96and 98, respectively, which are coaxially aligned when flange 94 isproperly inserted within slot 92. A wing nut 100 is then insertedthrough, and secured in, apertures 96 and 98 to retain panel 90 inposition. With the exception of flanges 94, panels 90 are generallyidentical to panels 76 of wing sections 16 and have a cross section asillustrated in FIG. 8 for strength. When wings 16 are folded out to formthe stockyard, legs 86 are extended from wings 16 and panels 90 securedtherebetween to prevent small stock from passing under the wings. Whenwings 16 are to be folded against side 22 of stock race 12, shields 90are removed from legs 86 and stored for transportation, for example, onfloor 20 of race 12. Legs 86 are then telescoped into wings 16, whichare then folded against side 22, clearing wheels 14.

Wheel Mechanism

The structure affecting the raising and lowering pf wheels 14 relativeto the body of the race is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 9, 10, and 11. A pairof wheel supporting assemblies 102a and 102b (FIG. 10) are secured tolongitudinal member 34 of base frame 18. A pair of wheel assemblies (notshown) mirror-imaging assemblies 102 is mounted on the opposite side ofbase frame 18. Assemblies 102a and 102b are generally identical to oneanother; consequently, only assembly 102a (FIGS. 10 and 11) will bedescribed in detail. Tube 104 is secured to the underside of member 34of base frame 18. Support 106 is secured between frame member 34 andtube 104 to further support the tube on base frame 18. Axle 108 isrotatably mounted within tube 104 such that axle 108 interconnects wheelassemblies 102 on opposite sides of stock race 12. Tubular socket 110 ismounted on the upper surface of member 34 to open laterally. Supports112 and 114 are both generally planar and rigidly secured together atgenerally a right angle and both extend radially from and are rigidlysecured to axle 108 as be welding. Wheel support plate 116 is alsogenerally planar and secured as by welding to both of supports 112 and114. Secured to the underside of wheel support plate 116 are axlesupports 117 (see FIG. 10), which mount the axles (not shown) of wheels14. Pin bracket 118 extends generally perpendicularly upwardly fromwheel support plate 116 and defines pin aperture 120. Tube 122 ismounted on bracket 118 coaxially with aperture 120 to provide additionalbearing support. Pin 124 is insertable through bracket 118, tube 122,and socket 110 when wheel assembly 102 is in its operative, transportposition as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Lever receiving member 126 extendsupwardly and forwardly from the rear end of plate 116 at approximately a40° angle from the plate. Braces 128 and 130 interconnect and arerigidly secured to the front end of plate 116 to support member 126thereabove. The rearward support assembly is an identical constructionand includes a support member 126a.

Lever mechanism, or linkage, 132 (FIG. 10) includes a pair of tubularmembers 134 and 134a dimensioned to telescopically fit onto receivingmembers 126 and 126a, respectively, as shown in phantom. Both of members134 and 134a terminate at their upper ends in a flattened portion 136,with spacing bar 138 pivotally connected between portions 136.Additionally, flattened portion 136a defines cable-receiving aperture140. The lever mechanism, when secured to the support assembliesconstitutes a parallelogram.

Winch 142 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is secured to side 22 of stock race 12 in anyconventional manner. Cable 144 extends from winch 142 and includes hook146 at its free end. Hook 146 is selectively engagable with aperture 140in lever mechanism 132.

Wheel assemblies 102 are shown locked in their transportation positionin FIGS. 10 and 11 wherein pin 124 extends through both bracket 118 andsocket 110. When unit 10 is to be set up for treatment of stock, thestock race must be lowered between wheels 14 so it can rest on theground. To do so, wings 16 are pivoted a short distance out from stockrace 12 t provide access to wheel assemblies 102 located therebehind;and lever mechanism 132 is installed on the assemblies 102, bytelescoping members 134 and 134a onto receiving members 126 and 126a.Sufficient cable 144 is then played from winch 142 so that hook 146 maybe secured within aperture 140. Winch 142 is then operated to pullmechanism 132 forwardly a short distance to free pins 124 so they may beremoved. Winch 142 is then operated to play cable 144 from the winch,allowing lever mechanism 132 to shift rearwardly, lowering race 12 aboutthe wheels. Ultimately wheels 14 assume the position shown in FIGS. 4and 9 wherein assemblies 102 are pivoted in the direction indicated byarrows A (FIG. 10) to their retracted position and wherein wheels 14 nolonger support the race. After race 12 has been so lowered, levermechanism 132 is removed from assemblies 102 and stored in a convenientlocation so as not to interfere with the operation of the race.

When unit 10 is again to be readied for transportation, mechanism 132 isreinstalled on assemblies 102 and winch 142 is operated to draw levermechanism 132 forwardly until apertures 120 in brackets 118 are alignedwith sockets 110. Pins 124 are then reinserted through brackets 118 andtubes 110 to support assemblies 102 in the transportation position. Hook146 is removed from aperture 140, and cable 144 is spooled onto winch142. Lever mechanism 132 is then removed from assemblies 102 and storedwithin the stock race 12 during transportation so that the mechanismdoes not interfere with the storage of wings 16 against race 12.

Bail

Bail gate 26 is illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15. Turninginitially to FIG. 14, bail gate 26 includes a generally rectangularframe comprised of top member 148, left side member 150, right sidemember 152, and bottom member 154. A pair of tubes 156 extend from sidewall 22 and are pivotally received on pins 158 (see FIG. 13) to hingedlymount door 26 on race 12. Consequently, gate 26 can pivot between anopen position (see FIG. 12) wherein stock is free to pass through race12 and a closed position (see FIG. 13) wherein an animal may beselectively retained in the race. Latch 159 (FIG. 12) releasably securespin 161 (FIG. 12) extending from door side member 152 to secure door 26in the closed position.

Returning to FIG. 14, cross bar 160 extends between side members 150 and152 at a position above bottom member 154. Lower-diagonal braces 162aand 162b extend between cross bar 160 and side members 152 and 150,respectively. Additionally, upper-diagonal braces 164a and 164b extendbetween braces 162a and 162b, respectively, and top member 148. Slidingmechanism 165 includes track 166, slide 168, and end plate 184. Tubulartrack 166 (FIGS. 14 and 15) is secured to and extends between cross bar160 and bottom member 154 and includes an open side 168 along its entireheight.

Bail assembly 170 (FIG. 14) includes first and second bail membersmounted for movement opposite one another. Each of bail members 172includes upper members 174 and 174a and lower members 176 and 176bpivotally interconnected by pin 178. Additionally, both of upper members174 are pivotally connected to upper frame member 148 of bail door 26 bycommon pin 180. Slide member 182, (FIGS. 14 and 15) generally T-shapedin horizontal cross section, is slidingly received within track member166 and extends outwardly through open side 168. End plate 184 ispermanently affixed to slide 182 to reciprocate along track member 166with the slide. Lower members 176a and 176b are pivotally connected toend plate 184 by pins 186. Consequently, lower members 176 are free topivot with respect to bail door 26, and sliding mechanism 165 permitsthe lower end of the bail to shift vertically in the plane of the baildoor 26.

As seen in FIG. 13, bail cage 186 is pivotally connected to side member150 and releasably secured in a closed position by latch 190 extendingfrom the bail cage to engage catch 188 mounted on door side member 152.

Ratchet mechanism 192 (FIGS. 13 and 14) serves as a catch mechanism forthe bail and includes latch 194 and catch 196. The inner end of thelatch is pivotally connected to lower bail member 176a by pin 199. Ahandle 202 is provided on its opposite end. Latch 194 is inclinedupwardly and outwardly at a minor angle and is supported on catch 196.Handle 202 is relatively large to facilitate ease of grasping Spring 204is incorporated into pivot 199 and urges latch 194 into engagement withthe catch. Intermediate end 198 and handle 202, the latch includes aratcheting surface 206 consisting of a plurality of axially spacedgrooves. The grooves are shaped to provide a radially extending shoulder195 at the inner end of each groove and a radially outwardly taperedwall 197 forming a camming surface extending to the top of the shoulderof the next axially outward groove (FIG. 16). The shoulders 195 engagethe stop lip 199 of the catch 196 providing a positive lock againstoutward movement of the latch unless it is forcibly lifted clear of thetop lip 199. Thus, an animal cannot force the bail to open by pushingagainst the sides of the bail. The catch to provide a positive seat forthe latch and to assure adequate bearing against the thrust of adisturbed animal is provided with a semicircular latch seat 210 (FIG.17). Excessive upward pivoting of the latch is prevented by semicircularretaining bar 211.

A hold 208 is formed in latch 194 adjacent end 198 to temporarily holdthe bail open to receive a new animal. It is formed by a single groovewith the shoulder forming wall at its outer side to seat against theopposite face of the stop lip 199 (FIGS. 13 and 17).

Bail assembly 170 may be opened or closed by the latch 194. Prior to theentry of an animal within stock race 12, bail door 26 is closed as shownin FIG. 13. The bail members 172 are separated by pulling the latch 194outwardly by means of the handle 202. As member 172a is pulled sideways,slide 182 and securing plate 184 secured thereto are shifted upwardlyforcing bail members 172 apart. The latch is secured in bail-openposition by engaging hold 208 on the catch. The animal is then permittedto enter race 12. When the animal's head has passed through the bailmembers 172, the latch 194 is lifted to disengage the catch 196 andpushed inwardly to force bail members 172 together entrapping theanimal's neck therebetween. Ratchet surface 206 rides on catch 196 asthe latch 194 moves inwardly and then catches to maintain bail members172 in engagement with the animal's neck. Due to the fact that bailmembers 172 define a generally diamond-shaped opening (as most clearlyseen in phantom in FIG. 14), the bail members securely engage theanimal's neck regardless of the height or size of the animal. The shapeof the bail members and the fact that their lower ends are free to movevertically biases the bail to close automatically and the latch isreleased.

After the animal has been treated within race 12, bail assembly 170 isagain opened by drawing the latch 194 outwardly and seating the hold 208on catch 196. If necessary, latch 159 is then opened releasing bail door26 to pivot to its open position as shown in FIG. 12, whereupon theanimal can exit the race. Bail door 26 is then closed and bail assembly170 is again positioned to receive the next animal. Preferably, thehandle or latch 194 is positioned at a height of no more than five feetabove the ground so that the arm is easily operated by one standing onthe ground.

By making the floor of the race capable of being raised to an inclinedposition as disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 236,150,previously noted, the race can also be adapted to function as a cattleloading ramp with wings 16 serving as a herding means. When so used, theability to retract or even remove the tongue or tow bar is mostadvantageous since it permits a truck or rail car to be moved up to theunit without obstruction.

As described above, portable stock handling unit 10 of the presentinvention provides an improved apparatus for the treatment of stock atremote locations. Unit 10 includes improved strength and operabilityover known units in a number of regards as set forth above. It is alsomore versatile and adaptable in its application.

It should be understood that the above description is intended to bethat of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various changes andalterations might be made without departing from the spirit and broaderaspects of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, which areto be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law,including the doctrine of equivalents.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A portable stock raceand yard comprising:said stock race having a body and wheels supportingsaid body for transport; a plurality of wings swingably connected tosaid stock race body and arranged to be folded out to form at least partof the periphery of a stockyard, each of said wings being connected tosaid stock race sufficiently high to pass over said wheels of said stockrace when said wings are folded against the body of said stock race; aplurality of legs supporting said wings when said wings are folded outto form said stockyard; and a plurality of panel sections, one eachreleasably securable under one of said wings and between two of saidlegs, said panel sections being secured to said legs under said wingswhen said wings are folded out to form said stockyard to prevent stockfrom passing under said wings, said panel sections being removed fromsaid legs when said wings are folded against said stock race to permitsaid wings to pass over the wheels of said race.
 2. A portable stockrace as defined in claim 1 wherein said legs are vertically shiftablewith respect to said wings.
 3. A portable stock race as defined in claim1 wherein said panel sections have irregular cross sections tostrengthen said panels.
 4. A portable stock race as defined in claim 1wherein:each of said legs defines a vertical slot; and each of saidpanel sections comprises two opposite ends and a flange extending fromeach end insertable into one of said vertical slots.
 5. A portable stockrace as defined in claim 4 further comprising means for releasablysecuring said flanges within said slots.